Beginner bi-plane model

[Stuart]

Hi all,

Can anyone suggest a decent bi-plane kit (preferably 1/72 or 1/48) for a novice to the black-art that is multi-wing construction and rigging? It's one of the things I'd like to try and take a crack at this year.

Cheers!

[PaulBradley]

The Airfix Tiger Moth in either scale would be a good choice.

[AndrewR]

Revell/Matchbox 1/72 Hawker Fury is pretty good.

[Stuart]

Thanks Gents -the Tiggie sounds like an easy to get choice.

[AndrewR]

Thanks Gents -the Tiggie sounds like an easy to get choice.

If you want to practice rigging, then a Fokker Eindecker is a good choice. If you want a biplane with very little rigging, then a Fokker D.VII or Dreidecker. You might find 1/48 easier to rig as they are a bit bigger.

[iggie]

Also worth considering is the Airfix Gladiator; straight forward to build but has some rigging without being excessive...

[DavidWomby]

It needs lots of practice to get it right, Stuart. So you need a subject that gives you that opportunity.

Try this

[VickersVandal]

Airfix Sopwith Pup is also a good option.

[Stuart]

It needs lots of practice to get it right, Stuart. So you need a subject that gives you that opportunity.

Try this

Lol! Yeah I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the suggestions lads, and I like the German Idea Andrew. As bad it sounds, my plan is to try building a rigging the kit without messing about with paint, just to get an idea of the technique.

[AndrewR]

Thanks for the suggestions lads, and I like the German Idea Andrew. As bad it sounds, my plan is to try building a rigging the kit without messing about with paint, just to get an idea of the technique.

My Fokker Eindecker was just primed with Vallejo Sand Primer, and that was it!

https://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3680&start=75

[skypirate]

You're a braver scale modeller than I am, Stuart!

David

[beany]

In 1/48 the Inpact/Life Like Bi-planes are very nice, simple builds and are usually available via eBay for £10-20. I found the Gladiator quite easy to rig in this scale when I tried it for the first time, the basic rigging steps are included in the instructions. A Gladiator, Bulldog, Fury and Flycatcher are available, not to mention the Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines - ask James!

[Stuart]

In 1/48 the Inpact/Life Like Bi-planes are very nice, simple builds and are usually available via eBay for £10-20. I found the Gladiator quite easy to rig in this scale when I tried it for the first time, the basic rigging steps are included in the instructions. A Gladiator, Bulldog, Fury and Flycatcher are available, not to mention the Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines - ask James!

Thanks for the tip Al - not a company I've heard off but I'll check them out.

[Softscience]

Eduard (also reboxed by Revell) Roland C II is really nice because:

-only two very robusts wing struts and no cabane struts. The rigging is easy, its the lining up the struts which is a challenge.
-Only 4 or 5 lines to wire per wing means not too many criss-crossing lines, and not too much drilling to do.
-only two control horns to wire on the tail
-fairly flexible plastic (at least on Revell version) means no snapped struts or control horns.

[Stuart]

Eduard (also reboxed by Revell) Roland C II is really nice because:

-only two very robusts wing struts and no cabane struts. The rigging is easy, its the lining up the struts which is a challenge.
-Only 4 or 5 lines to wire per wing means not too many criss-crossing lines, and not too much drilling to do.
-only two control horns to wire on the tail
-fairly flexible plastic (at least on Revell version) means no snapped struts or control horns.

Thanks Ralph - that sounds interesting too.

Damn, I'm going to end up with a fleet of the things before too long.